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Sandpoint schedules wastewater open houses; public works addresses staffing and Cedar Street lane-width question
Summary
Public works director announced biweekly wastewater treatment plant open houses and staffing vacancies; engineers recommended 12-foot lanes for Cedar Street after a traffic study, contrary to some council preferences for 10-foot lanes.
The Sandpoint public works department will host a series of open houses on the wastewater treatment plant preliminary engineering report, beginning the day after the Feb. 5 council meeting and continuing on Feb. 20, March 6 and March 20. Open houses are scheduled from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in the council chambers, and staff said materials will also be posted online for those who cannot attend.
Public Works Director Holly (last name not provided) told council the department is running a 12–1 outreach series and encouraged residents who cannot attend midday sessions to contact staff to request evening outreach if there is sufficient interest. She said the project is large and the department planned the first series to gauge public interest.
Holly also outlined staffing vacancies in public works: a project manager position (previously titled construction manager), an open public works technician position, and the announced resignation of street supervisor Chet Jackman effective March 31.
Councilor Kyle Schreiber raised a earlier council discussion about lane widths for the planned Cedar Street project, noting council preference for 10-foot lanes to improve safety and reduce cost. Holly said preliminary (75%) engineering drawings and a traffic study conducted by HMH Engineering recommended 12-foot lanes because Cedar Street is classified as a collector road, carries truck traffic and is near an Avista yard. She said the design team also recommended 11–12 foot lanes to accommodate “sharrow” (shared lane) bicycle markings.
Why it matters: the wastewater open houses provide an early public engagement opportunity on a major utility project. The Cedar Street lane-width conversation highlights a common trade-off in street design between safety, cost and functional classification of the roadway.
No formal council vote occurred on the Cedar Street design. The council asked staff to present the preliminary design to council for review before final decisions.
Looking ahead: staff will post materials online, hold the scheduled noon open houses, and return to council with the Cedar Street preliminary design for formal review and direction.
